NYS Music 20​16

Tag: broadway musicals

  • THE PORTAL Opens at the Minetta Lane Theatre

    Off-Broadway “modern Shamanic journey,” THE PORTAL, opened this weekend to a spiritually minded audience at The Minetta Lane Theatre. Before stepping foot inside the half-filled preview, I was informed that this groundbreaking concept incorporated elements of a live concert, choreographed dance performance, and movie all in one. THE PORTAL soundtrack is now available and I feel that the show flows even better by pre-listening to the mythological themes presented in the lyrics and compositions by Tierro Lee and Luke Comer with Charles Newman and David Sisko.

    Frontman Billy Lewis Jr., most recently credited on Fox’s “Glee,” appears on stage and sonically narrates the dreamlike adventure of Dante, through inspirational and symbolic landscapes, Alex Grey-influenced imagery and psychedelic desserts that I assume were once visited by Jim Morrison.  The audience is introduced to the voyage with songs like “Eclipse” and “Greeting,” sung by Lewis as the film, starring Dante (Christopher Soren Kelly), is projected on the large screen behind him. The eclectic mix of tribal and electronic beats, modern dance music and monstrous rock riffs are brought to life by percussionist Gilly Gonzalez and guitarist Paul Casanova who also appear on and off stage from scene to scene.

    Dante’s inner-demons appear to be haunting him in the film as actors portraying the same characters can be found roaming the theatre floor to terrorize and intrigue the audience.Fans of electronic giants like EOTO, The Disco Biscuits, and Beats Antique will appreciate the deep and transformational grooves during songs like “Trance,” “Synth” and “Space Weaver” while Jessica Aronoff and Nicole Spencer interpretively dance their way on and off the stage in between songs and themes. While there is not much live acting of any kind, there is a ritualistic Burning Man-influenced dance routine in nearly every song bringing the art forms together in a very unique fashion.

    The only way to truly understand THE PORTAL is to expect the unexpected and dive right in. Creative Director, Luke Comer, has developed a new way to present a rock opera story off-Broadway. As an audience member, each person can relate to many of the human experiences presented on screen and on stage while still enjoying live music, dance and film. Tickets can be purchased for Wednesday-Friday performances at 8PM and for Saturday performances at 5PM and 9PM.

    https://soundcloud.com/theportalnyc

  • Kinky Boots – Don’t Miss this Must-See Musical

    Central New York theater-goers are in for a spectacular treat. Kinky Boots is a wonderful Broadway experience with performances at the Stanley Theater in Utica on September 6-8, 2016. This upbeat and popular musical won the coveted Tony Award in 2013 for Best Musical.

    kinky bootsKicking off this three day extravaganza, patrons who take in the first night of the event will help to raise money for the Q Center, a safe haven for the LGBTQ community, providing case management, after school hours, education awards, leadership and advocacy training.

    Kinky Boots is an uplifting story inspired by true events written in a book by Tony winner Harvey Fierstein. It is a story that conveys a valuable message about friendship and acceptance. The main character is Charlie Price. His family run shoe factory is going bust and he comes up with an idea to make and sell thigh high red boots. Together with a drag queen named Lola, they conceive a plan to make these ladies’ shoes marketed for men that are referred to as “kinky boots.” In the process, these two men from very different backgrounds forge a strong friendship.

    Tony and Grammy award winning pop star, Cyndi Lauper, wrote the show’s music, winning her best original score at the 2013 Tony Awards.  Lauper is most famous for the ’80’s hit “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and brings that same energetic style of music to this production. Many shows have the audience dancing in the aisles.

    So, pull on your boots and head to the Stanley Theatre this week. This production has proven to have plenty of humor and entertainment for everyone.

  • Deaf West’s “Spring Awakening” Revival Breaks the Mold for Broadway Shows

    The Spring Awakening revival on Broadway is really a revolution. It’s changing the way we should be looking at Broadway shows.

    Spring Awakening is based on a controversial 1891-banned play written German author Frank Wedekind. His work led to the original groundbreaking musical that opened on Broadway in 2006.

    The musical focuses on the lives of three teenagers in 1891 Germany while they are trying to figure out where they belong in the world as they move into adulthood. But trust me, this isn’t your Breakfast Club-type of teen-angst show. This goes much deeper. Touching upon still-controversial topics like teen sex and pregnancy, abortion, suicide, masturbation and homosexuality.

    The revival includes the barbaric 1880 resolution passed in schools in the United States and Europe, where sign language was no longer taught and Deaf students had to learn lip reading and speech mimicking. Those who could not learn in such a way were deemed failures.

    All 22 Deaf and hearing actors on stage in Spring Awakening use American Sign Language. The Deaf actors each had their own ‘voice’ on stage with them, acting as their character’s conscience.

    The voices for the two main characters were perfectly chosen. For Wendla, Deaf actress Sandra Mae Frank and Voice actress Katie Boeck were flawless together. Boeck’s soft and innocent soprano helped to portray Wendla’s innocence. For Moritz, Deaf Actor Daniel Durant and voice actor Alex Boniello were also a superb pair. Boniello’s sad, angry, and powerful voice brought back memories of John Gallagher Jr. – who originated the role on Broadway.

    The only disappointing moment for me was during ‘The Dark I Know Well.” Voice of Martha, Katherine Gallagher, fell short as she attempted to bring her own edge to the song, taking away from the lyrics.

    There were moments throughout the show where sign language or voice interpretation could not be used, so the words were projected on the wall of the set, using different fonts for each character. Those moments were the most incredible throughout the show, comparable only to the times when the Deaf actors spoke or yelled.

    There is no doubt that this show was meant to be portrayed with the inclusion of sign language. The addition of Deaf history and the extra symbolism that teens often feel like they aren’t heard by society, made the experience that much more special.

    You will leave feeling invigorated; you will have a rush of emotions. You will also wonder – why aren’t there more Deaf West revivals out on Broadway?

    Spring Awakening is a limited engagement on Broadway – closing on January 24.